January 9, 2011

REFLECTING ON THE WORD
A favorite plot is the rags-to-riches story, the adversity-to-triumph story,
the weakling-who-becomes-strong story. It touches

on our hope for personal transformation, for a change for the better. We find
it in fairy tales like Cinderella, in novels like David Copperfield, and in
movies like Star Wars. This is not, however, the plot we get in the Jesus
story. Jesus, who starts out in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling clothes and
lying in a manger, then grows up not to become the Messiah that Israel had hoped
for-the strong warrior king who would restore the nation of Israel to the glory
it had under King David. Instead, he grows up to become one who suffers for our
sakes, who empties

himself, who considers himself a servant-and calls on all who follow him to do
the same.

On this final Sunday of the Christmas season, the Church celebrates the baptism
of Jesus, an event that identifies him as the servant described by Isaiah, who
comes in gentleness, breaking no bruised reed, quenching no smoldering wick.
No shouting, no crying out, no making his voice heard in the streets. Rather,
he will open eyes and hearts, release from confinement, and deliver from the

dungeon's darkness.

The agenda was fairly simple, as Peter points out when preaching in the house of
the Roman centurion Cornelius: Jesus went about doing good and healing all those
oppressed by the devil. He came not to be served but to serve. And this is
what he asks of us.

Taken from: LIVING THE WORD, Scripture Reflections and Commentaries for Sundays
and Holy Days, Dennis Sylva and James Wallace.
January 9, 2011

SUNDAY, December 26, 2010 OFFERINGS:
$9,355.25

SUNDAY, January 3, 2011 OFFERINGS:
$9,402.00

MARCH FOR LIFE
We will have a bus traveling to The March For Life in Washington DC on Monday,
January 24th. The bus will leave at 6am on January 24th. We plan to arrive in
Washington in time for the noon Rally and March up Constitution Ave. Following
the March we will attend a Students for Life Rally featuring Alveta King, Lila
Rose and others. The return bus will leave Washington at 5pm on the 24th. For
reservations please call Mary Catherin Scanlon at 412-781-6550. The cost of the

trip is $15.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The annual Parish Pancake and Sausage Breakfast will be held next Sunday,
January 16thfrom 8am to 1pm, in the school cafeteria. Regular serving, $4,
small serving, $3. Proceeds support the bus to "The March for Life" in
Washington DC. Please join us for a delicious breakfast and support the
parishioners traveling to Washington in memory of those who have died from
abortion..

ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE FOR LIFE
How do you plan to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday,
January 17, 2011? Sign-up now for the 8th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Blood
Drive for Life, from 1-6 p.m., at St. Benedict the Moor Church (above Mellon
Arena). Help us to reach our goal of 50 participants. Save a life by donating
blood or registering as a bone marrow donor. Contact the sponsors to register
or for more information: Diocesan Office for Black Catholic
Ministries, 412-456-3170; Central Blood Bank, 412-209-7245.

INTERSECTION
We invite all students grades 8-12 to join us for our bi weekly Scripture study
from 10-11 in the ministry center on Jan. 9th. Lively discussion, light
breakfast.

MEGA MEETING
Just a reminder that the 8th grade confirmation candidates have a MEGA meeting
this Sunday at noon!

TAX TIME!
If you need a listing of your 2010 contributions please contact Chrissy Morton
in the parish office at 412-781-0186 ext.24 or at
financeoffice@saintscholastica.comafter January 18th, 2011.

THANK YOU!
This year we collected $3065.00 for the Children and Youth Christmas Offering.
We also collected $1975.00 for our Good Samaritan School. This allows us to
continue supporting our 6 current students and to help pay some of the school's
general expenses. Thanks to all of the members of Saint Scholastica who helped
to make these and other donations possible during this holiday season.

2011 LOTTERY CALENDAR
It's not too late to get your 2011 Lottery calendar! They are found in the back

of church or by contacting the school office. There are plenty of lucky numbers

available so get yours today! Calendars are $25 and are based the evening
drawing of the daily number.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are currently seeking additional volunteers to serve as Eucharistic Ministers

at St. Margaret Hospital. We specifically need daily substitutes as well as
volunteers for Thursdays and weekends. Please consider taking a few hours out of

PRO-LIFE PRAYER BREAKFAST
You are invited to the annual Pro-Life Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, January
15that 10am at the Comfort Inn-Pittsburgh East at 699 Rodi Road. Rev. John
Patterson from the Anglican Orthodox Church will be the speaker. The cost
includes a full breakfast and is $15. Please call People Concerned For The
Unborn Child to make a reservation.

DR. KING MASS & PROGRAM
The community is invited to the Annual Dr. King Mass, Sunday, January 16,
2011at 12:00 pm (noon), at St. Paul Cathedral. Fr. Donald Breier, pastor of St.

Paul Cathedral, and Fr. David Taylor, pastor of St. Charles Lwanga, are the
concelebrants. A light reception and the recognition of school essay winners
will follow in the parish social hall. Sponsored by the St. Paul Cathedral Race

& Reconciliation Dialogue Group.

SILVER RING THING
All students grades 8-12 (and their parents) are invited to attend the SILVER
RING THING on Friday Jan. 14that Seton LaSalle HS. This high energy event
begins at 7:00pm. Using drama, music and video this high tech presentation
tackles the tough questions that teens ask regarding self image, abstinence and
purity. RSVP to the youth ministry office.

SACRAMENTS
INFANT BAPTISM is celebrated at noon on the 2nd and 4th Sundaysof the month.
Please make arrangements with the pastor at least 6 weeks prior to the desired
date.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC? Contact Andy Beckman for more
information- see Parish Contact below.

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) is celebrated at
St. Scholastica Parish on Saturdaysafter 9:00 a.m. Mass. For your
convenience,the parishes in our cluster have the following opportunities for
reconciliation:
St. Joseph Parish has Sat. reconciliation from 3:30-4:00.
Madonna of Jerusalem has reconciliation on Wednesday evening from 5:30-6:45 and
Saturday from 3:00-4:00 p.m..